(7-22-20) This morning at 2:59am officers were dispatched to the report of a dark SUV heading north bound on the St Joseph Valley Parkway in the southbound lane at the 6 mile marker.

While officers were heading to try and locate the vehicle, officers were informed of a head on collision at the 9 mile marker involving the dark SUV. Officers from Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to  find a 29 year old female outside of her GMC Arcadia , refusing medical treatment.

Officers located the driver of a Ford Fusion who was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced decease at the scene. the driver of the Ford was identified as Darnell D. Johnson (28) of Benton Harbor.

The driver of the GMC Arcadia was arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail on suspicion of Operating While Intoxicated causing Death.

THE 29 YEAR OLD FEMALE IS CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES THAT SHE SUSTAINED DURING THIS TRAFFIC CRASH. SHE HAS NOT BEEN LODGED AT THE BERRIEN COUNTY JAIL.

THE BERRIEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WILL BE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE BERRIEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE FOR REVIEW OF POTENTIAL CHARGES OF OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED CAUSING DEATH.THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION BY THE 29 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THIS CRASH.

The investigation is ongoing and the collision is being in investigated by the Berrien County Accident Investigation team. Agencies involved in the incident Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Niles Township Fire Department, Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department, Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police Niles Post